Bangladesh get Shakib boost to level Test series against SL

Ace allrounder Shakib Al Hasan is all set to back to longer version format as Bangladesh are determined to level the two- match Test series by putting their disastrous performance in the first match behind when they take on Sri Lanka in the second and final Test at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram tomorrow (Saturday). The match starts at 10 AM.

The horrendous performance in the first game put their Test credential at stake but the inclusion of Shakib is expected to turn the cornered Tigers to a roaring Tigers at the Port City.

The home side failed to go past 200 in both of the innings of the first Test, culminating in their crushing 328-run. Most of the batters played wretched shots to gift their wicket, a thing that put a question about their commitment towards the Test cricket.

Only experienced Mominul Haque played resiliently to reduce the margin of the defeat as he was unbeaten on 87 in the second innings.

Shakib looked fully fit after recovering from his eye problem and is set to take the field straightway.

However if he plays tomorrow, he will play his first Test after a gap of one year. In fact Shakib hasn’t played any game, donning national jersey since the World Cup last year in India. The long gap might be cause of a concern because it is always tough to perform straightway after a gap.

But a champion cricketer like Shakib knows how to perform overcoming all challenges, according to Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.

Shakib had two 80-plus knocks in his last four Test innings against Ireland and India but what is most worrying factor is that he hasn’t scored a century in this format since 2017. Last time he scored a century against Sri Lanka in Colombo in Bangladesh’s 100th Test and the side won that game to make the occasion memorable one. And that remains Bangladesh’s only Test victory against Sri Lanka in 25 matches.

Bangladesh lost a staggering number of 19 matches while five matches ended in a draw. On Bangladesh soil, the two sides met 11 times with Sri Lanka winning eight and drawing the rest of the three matches, meaning the Tigers are still win-less against Lankans at their own den.

Since their 2-0 defeat to India in 2022, Bangladesh haven’t lost any series in 2023 but the winning trend is at stake now, given their performance in the previous Test. But Shakib boost might play a role in turning them to a real Tigers with the back on the wall.

Since Shakib is guaranteed for a spot, Bangladesh would have to bring a change in the first XI. After playing a horrible shot in the first Test,
Liton’s place looked in danger. If he is dropped Zakir Hasan might play the wicket-keeper role and Shadman Islam could be drafted into the side as an opener. And Zakir, who normally opens the innings, could be slotted into fifth or sixth position.

Sri Lanka will miss their best bowler Kasun Rajitha as he was out injured. Asitha Fernando replaced him in the team. So, the Lankan side will also have to tinker with the squad in a bid to sweep the Test series against Bangladesh.

Squad:

Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Zakir Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Liton Das, Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Shahadat Hossain Dipu, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Nayeem Hasan, Taijul Islam, Shoriful Islam, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud and Nahid Rana

Sri Lanka: Dhananjaya De Silva (Captain), Kusal Mendis (Vice Captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Nishan Madushka, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Lahiru Udara, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Nishan Peiris, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara and Chamika Gunasekara.